Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What's On Your Workdesk Wed. Week 169

It's Wednesday!  You know what that means!  You get the opportunity to view not only my workdesk but check out SO many more!  Julia over on the Stamping Ground brought together many crafters in a giant blog hop!  How fun!  But today you only get to see my desk.  I'm actually taking a class today instead of teaching!!  Be still my heart!! LOL!  I will post pics of the cool side step cards that Camille of Short on Ideas is teaching at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ.  She calls the class "Put Your Paper Aside".  Check out the store link to see these. I think Camille used her Sure Cuts A Lot and Cricut to make the base cards but I'll find out at the class.  (P.S. - the class was postponed. Rats.)


As you can see my desk is still pretty messy.  I've made a couple autumn cards which I've posted prior to today and the CDs that hold the stamps.  I need to put away my acrylic stamp blocks and ink and clean up all those little scraps of paper so I can again be ready to make more cards.  So please come back in a day or two as I post my cards from class.  And hopefully my mojo, which went into hiding yesterday, will come home and I can feel productive again!  But I've also come down with a bad cough and sore throat so maybe my mojo can take a rest for a while....

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Happy Fall

Fall is just around the corner but here in southern AZ we don't see a dramatic change of seasons like the northern United States.  No beautiful red and yellow leaves, or even falling leaves to any big degree unless you head to northern AZ or even up on Mount Lemmon just northeast of Tucson.  I am looking forward to cooler temperatures as we're still in the upper 90's and lower 100's most of the time.  So I decided to make another autumn card using PaperTreyInk stamps and pattern paper.


I didn't use any bling on this card.  For once hubby didn't ask about it.  I wonder if he was fully awake when he looked at my card....


I do like the cool tree trunks.  Kinda reminds me of aspen trees (except they are usually fairly white). And I really like the background paper! Definitely fall colors!  The ribbon is dark brown twill ribbon with lots of texture. I was thinking of adding some rhinestones but they did not add to the card.  Are you ready for autumn?

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Give Thanks

I made this card yesterday thinking how nice it would be if it wasn't so hot outside. Friday I helped my dad burn part of our brush pile since we've had lots of rain and I was absolutely soaked head to toe with sweat... Yes, I sweat.  I wasn't glowing like I was told by my grandmother many years ago.  I had to peel off my clothes!  Everything was soaked! And the shower was wonderful.  But I digress...

I was reading some blogs and there's been some great fall cards being made and even PaperTreyInk had an August 2012 blog hop (I was too late) over on Capture The Moment blog. This card is made with the PTI set Falling Leaves and the background paper is PTI's Autumn Abundance.  Doesn't this card just make you feel cooler?


Remember a couple posts ago I showed you the cans of buttons and embroidery floss?  I used some of the floss here to do the Spirelli technique on the Spellbinders Beaded Circles that I cut on my Wizard.


Isn't this cool!  And for an added bonus look at the tree trunk! I was thrilled that it stamped with such texture! I don't think it was supposed to do this but I just love it!  I did edge my background paper with my Krylon gold pen to set off the edges.  I was debating on using red ink for the birds and make them cardinals but I think the tree inks would have caused problems and showed through.  I think the only difference I may have made on this card would be to used a different background paper - the one of difference colored leaves but then the text may not have showed up as well.  Guess I just need to play some more! LOL!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Little Witchie

I purchased some cool little action springs recently and decided to use one on a card for a class in October.  And, since the end of the month is Halloween, it's appropriate. Stamps by Inky Antics. Paper by Bo Bunny (background) and TCP Studio (witch face - kinda made me think of warts).


You can't tell it here but the witchie face wiggles! Yep, and now I'll show you why...


Behind the face is the action wobble spring! I love it! My hubby just laughed when he seen this card.  And the text is computer generated.  Want to see another view of the springs?  They're marketed by Inky Antics.


I got a bit too close (or had my camera setting wrong) when I took the pic but you get the idea.  There's 6 in the package for about $4.00 retail.  I'm sure my great grandson will get a real kick out of the card I'll be making for him!


And I had to share a geranium from my flower pot!  I got the camera setting correct for once! I may have to print this out and make some cards!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday 168

Do you know what time it is??  Ah, Wednesday did you say?  Absolutely and I did get a picture of my workdesk this morning!  I've been busy with other projects as you can see from previous posts and did get my desk cleaned off a bit before I start another project.... that is, before mom gave me these containers of buttons and embroidery floss.  And to see more desks just pop over to Julia's blog, the Stamping Ground, for more!


I used to do a LOT of counted cross stitch embroidery and may get back into it but a vast majority of the floss does not have the DMC numbers.  Hmmm.... how about doing the spirelli technique!!  Yeppers!  And the buttons will come in handy too.  I think I see one that will work for one of hubby's shirts.  LOL!

Oh, an update on my friend, KellyRae.  She contacted me yesterday by email and said she had a 95% blockage in a carotid artery. She had surgery to clean it out last weekend and is now home and recovering.  She will have some major lifestyle changes to make.  I'm so relieved to hear from her and will call her this coming weekend as she wants to rest all week.  Totally understandable.  So, thanks for your prayers!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Go See Do

Every now and then I like to take up a challenge over on the Stars and Stamps OWH blog.  I love the sketch challenge but dang if I couldn't find the Memory Works paper pack I wanted to use!  I'm still looking as I have used it about a month ago.  Anyway, I used the Destinations collection by Simple Stories.


Except for the black rhinestones all this came from the collection. I think this card would be great for either a graduation or a retirement, or even as a Bon Voyage card for someone going on a long trip!


I double pop dotted the Go See Do piece for dimension and then added the 6 rhinestones for bling.  And no, I didn't do any stamping.  Depends on how I plan on using this card will decide what I stamp inside or even do a computer-generated text if I can't find the right stamp.

Just click on the Stars and Stamps link at the beginning of this post to see some wonderful inspiration!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Last Authentique Card!

Ah... Last one!  Finally!  This one came to me quickly when I surfed the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog!  This sketch was perfect for this paper collection!


Isn't this cool!! Definitely BRIGHT!!  Almost busy but I think the black layers help to ease that a bit.


I did add black rhinestones to the center of each star. I used my 1" circle punch for the stars but did have a bit of a hard time centering them as they were a bit too close together. The center star did pick up a bit of the star design that was next to it.

So, have you enjoyed my designs using this paper collection?  Hopefully I've inspired you if you have some bold patterns like these.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Happy Harvest

You all know I used to be a creative consultant (angel) with The Angel Co. for many years and that the company closed last August.  It was heart-wrenching but then Pam U. purchased many of the designs and opened Red Rubber Designs.  Well, I follow her blog and this week she had a Third Thursday Just Because challenge! I get so much inspiration from the designers (some I know and are ex-angels, too).  I decided to take up the challenge as a break from working on samples for upcoming classes.  All the samples shown are Christmas but I'm not ready yet and I don't have many Christmas stamps that Pam carries.  (I better look through the grab bag boxes and see if there's any there I should keep.)


I used 2 stamp sets on this card: Autumn Leaves and Contemporary Greetings.  The pattern paper is from PaperTreyInk.  I scored the orange base on a diagonal using my Scor-Pal, and did faintly stamp the acorn from the Leaves set.  If you click on the picture and enlarge it you can kinda see.  I used the 3 larges dies from my Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals set.


I also die cut a piece of vellum with the text to go over the pumpkin that was colored with Copic markers.  I had to add some "sparkly" so I found these ivory beads and attached them to the ribbon. I was hesitant at first with the beads where they are but they do now appeal to me.  What do you think?

Thursday, August 16, 2012

One More Authentique...

I came up with another Authentique card and still have another to design for my September19th class.  Boy, this paper is gorgeous but with such bold patterns, I'm having a hard time coming up with layouts that I like.  Been blurfing like crazy, in fact, I missed yesterdays What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday blog hop!  Well, didn't have much on my desk as I've been sitting at the computer!  Maybe I should have taken a picture of that!  Anyway, here's my 3rd card...


I have a cool cupcake stamp but couldn't use it as it's not one that the store can purchase (got it from The Angel Co.).  But the text stamp is from a set by Red Rubber Designs and in the same set as the previous 2 posts.  I added 2 large and 2 medium rhinestones for a touch of bling.


So, what do you think of this paper collection?  Pretty cool!  Well, now I'm off to do more blurfing (blog surfing) for my 4th card.

P.S. If you are a praying person, please pray for my friend, KellyRae.  She had a minor stroke Sunday night.  I've known her back a few years when we were both Angels with The Angel Co.  She is a real sweetie.  Thanks.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

More Authentique

I've been feverishly blurfing to get some ideas for the Authentique Celebrate collection paper for a September class at AZ Scrapbooking in Green Valley, AZ.  Yesterday another idea got my mojo going a bit and here's what came out of that....


I love the colors in this collection of patterns but, since I'm using the paper itself for the focal points, it is a bit difficult.  These 2 patterns are from the same sheet, just front and back.


I have some cool star brads and love how it made the focal point along with the turquoise arrow.  This is a rather simple card but my "students" like simple.  They are more apt to make or duplicate the cards from the class.  The stamp is from a Red Rubber Design set called Joyful Notes.

Thursday is our monthly meeting of the instructors at the store so I have to come up with 2 more ideas.  Come on, mojo!   Yesterday I had something happen that's very rare.  I called a plumber at 7:30 in the morning and they arrived at 12:30 after lunch!  Now, how often do they come in such a short time?  If you are in the Green Valley area and need plumbing help called Preferred Plumbing!  They came highly referred and I'll add mine to the others!  No more brackish water stopped up in the kitchen sink.  Plug cleared in less than 1/2 hour!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Authentique Celebrate

I'm again working on class samples for my Sept. 19th class at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ.  Debi (the owner) wanted me to use the Celebrations collection of Authentique paper.  Since I couldn't find any stamps in the store that I wanted to use with this paper and can't use my personal stamps (except text) I'm really struggling.  I finally came up with one card using a text stamp.


The paper has very strong designs and color.  I like how this turned out.  The image is from a set by Red Rubber Designs called Joyful Notes.


I did add 3 little rhinestones in black to the bottom.  Just needed a hint of bling.  What do you think?

Friday, August 10, 2012

Organizing my brads and eyelets...

When I attended the AZ Scrapbooking (Green Valley, AZ) Christmas in July retreat I seen the coolest organizer from one of the attendees.  My Iris cart had a drawer dedicated to brads and eyelets but it was an absolute mess!  I also seen that Michael's had these on sale and, since I was in Tucson, AZ last Sunday, I checked them out and ended up purchasing one.  It's found in the beading section.


Now, I'm not overly crazy about purple but I can live with this.  The cover has a suede texture. (I may have to do some stamping and coloring on it.)


Every compartment is used.  I found I had some duplicates of the brads and I did label some of these compartments for personal use.


There are 4 sets of "lockables" on each side of the holder and 7 compartments in each set.  If you drop a "lockable" it will not pop open due to the way it locks.  You have to push a "button" on the left side for any compartment to open.  Now that I can see what I have I may use my brads and eyelets more!


And how do you like my little bench?  I purchased it from a used furniture store to replace an antique love sofa in our bedroom.  About 3 weeks ago I broke my little toe on my right foot for the 2nd time in 13 months on the love sofa (3rd time in 8 years).  It was time for a change.  This little bench gives me more room to walk along my side the our bed.  Hopefully no more broken toes.  The little sofa is now out in our storage shed.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

What's On Your Workdesk, Week 166

Well, it's Wednesday!  Not only is it "hump" day but you get the opportunity to take a look at my work desk and other's through a huge blog hop sponsored by Julia at the Stamping Ground!  Are you ready?


I've been playing with a technique from my newest Technique Junkies newsletter!  You can see the newsletter just to the left of the card with a set of stamps sitting on it. If you chose to join us Junkies please let Pat know you heard of her newsletter from me, Carol Norby (thanks). Now, wanna see the card?


I used a stamp set from Red Rubber Designs called Nothing Is Better. Twine from The Twinery. Border punch by Fiskars and scalloped ovals by Spellbinders.  I did a minor adjustment after taking the photos of the card by coloring the leaves with a light green Copic marker.


There is some cool little texture stuff called Mini Mosaics by Suze Weinberg in the center of the flower.  Really added to the card.  This card will be sent to my swap partner in the Technique Junkies 1 on 1 swap that I participate in monthly.

We had one heck of a lightening/thunder storm last night.  Lasted for about an hour. Not much for rain but the thunder had the house shakin'. Kept us both awake but no close lightening strikes, thank you God!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Little Monster Treat Boxes for Halloween

Oh yeah, I'm working on some Halloween projects.  Actually these are for a Sept. 5th class at the AZ Scrapbooking class in Green Valley, AZ.  Debi had some really cute stamp sets by Inky Antics that I just had to purchase.  You've seen my little Purple People Eater prototype in a previous post but now I have my actual samples completed.  Ready??


Here's all 4 that I will be teaching.  There is some intricate cutting but only on the Purple People Eater (though the song says he's one-eyed).  Since you've seen him previously I won't post a pic of the actual sample as there's not much change other than using Bazzill card stock instead of DCWV.


I just love this little pumpkin!  After stamping the face I used my Black Stardust gel pen to make it shine. I colored some white scrappers floss for the vine and sponged some brown around the front edges.


And the cyclops...  Love the goofy look and I added a mini black rhinestone for an eyeball.


And last, little Witchie.  Isn't she just cute?  I will be making more of these for grand children and filling them (they hold very little) with candy.  I bet they'll enjoy these.  I'm planning on making some of these boxes out of pattern paper then embellishing.

I'd love to hear from you.  If you like my projects please leave me a comment.  I value them greatly!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Spotlighting on Fall

Are you tired of my autumn cards?  I actually did something totally different than the 4 in previous posts.  I tried a sketch challenge over on Red Rubber Designs and entered their challenge.  All stamps are RRD's and I'll provide the links in a moment (just click on the stamp name below the picture).


I seen something like this spotlighting in a magazine when I was at the AZ Scrapbooking Christmas in July Retreat last month.  The 2 stamp sets I used are Tree Silhouettes and Joyful Notes.  The pattern paper is called Winchester and I got it from The Angel Co.


I used some neutral twill ribbon and my Bow Easy for the bow.  I like how that little tool makes such a nice bow!  This card was made to fit a #10 envy which is about 9 1/2" x 4".